“Different cucumber cultivars vary widely in their tendency to be bitter. In tests in several Western states a few years ago, Improved Long Green, Eversweet, Ashley, Lemon and Saticoy Hybrid had the least bitterness.

“Even though irrigation practices haven’t proven to greatly affect the number of bitter cucumbers produced, nubbins and other misshapen fruit associated with poor irrigation seem more likely to be bitter than well-shaped fruit. So provide the plants with ample and uniform moisture and adequate nutrients for proper growth. These practices result in rapid, uniform growth of the fruit.

“Leaving cucumbers on the vine too long can also lead to a disappointing, often bitter taste. Cucumbers grow fast once they start producing, so be sure to plant only as much as you can keep up with, keeping the harvest young.”